Spotlight for International Women’s Month – Seonaid Atkinson, Hedon Methodist Church

In commemoration of International Women’s Month and International Women’s Day (8 March), HEY Smile Foundation is sharing a series of spotlights on influential women across the VCSE sector in the East Riding. Today, we are proud to celebrate Seonaid Atkinson, Community Manager at Hedon Methodist Church.

Vibrant Community Hub

Hedon Methodist Church functions not only as a place of worship but as a vibrant community hub. In addition to Sunday services, it hosts a variety of programs, community events and well-being initiatives. Seonaid explains that in her role she acts as “a bridge between the church and the wider community”. As a church, Seonaid says they are “committed to being more than just a physical space; it’s a sanctuary where everyone is welcomed with open arms.”

From SEND Education to Community Leadership

Seonaid has a professional background in SEND education. “I trained and worked as a teaching assistant and later in specialist support roles within mainstream and specialist school settings.” She credits this experience for her “deep appreciation for how much families carry behind the scenes.” She noticed that “support often stopped at the school gates” and recognised the families’ need for “encouragement, advocacy and community – not just academic interventions.” Taking on the role of Community Manager felt like a “natural extension of [her] work.”

Most Fulfilling Moments

Watching people transition from “feeling anxious” when they first enter a space, to beginning to “gradually relax because they realise they are accepted exactly as they are” is what Seonaid finds most fulfilling about her role. Being able to facilitate friendships and enhance social inclusion is a “privilege”.

Proudest Achievements

On her proudest achievement, Seonaid recognised her role in “recruiting and nurturing” volunteers. “In the voluntary and community sector, volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do. Seeing individuals step forward – some with no prior experience – and grow in confidence as they support and welcome families into our sessions has been incredibly moving. Strong volunteer teams don’t just sustain community work – they are community work. Building that culture of service and shared ownership is something I’m deeply proud of.”

Facing Challenges

This role does not come without challenges. Seonaid spoke about balancing a limited budget, supplemented by donations, to ensure her provision accommodates to the “diverse needs” of her community. Managing the duties of her role which includes, but is not limited to, volunteer management, administrative tasks and reporting can be incredibly time consuming. She states that “maintaining personal boundaries is crucial to preventing burnout.”

VCSE Impact

To Seonaid, being part of the VCSE sector “means being rooted in compassion rather than profit. It’s about collaboration over competition and responding to real, local need.” She expressed gratitude for all that have funded her role – East Riding of Yorkshire Council, The Matthew Good Foundation, Methodist Church, Yorkshire North and East District & the South Holderness Circuit.

We encourage everybody to take a look on the Hedon Methodist Church Facebook page to keep updated with regular groups and activities, such as the Honeybees Playgroup, Messy Church weekends and Better Together group. They also have some exciting community events coming up this year, including an art exhibition, a garden fair and a health and well-being event.

Seonaid’s Message

“You are doing better than you think you are. Whether you’re advocating for your child, juggling work and caring responsibilities, or quietly holding your family together – your work matters. Don’t be afraid to ask for support from your community is not a sign of weakness; it’s how we were designed to thrive.”

Share this story and celebrate the women shaping our communities this International Women’s Month.